Recent memory would not have served the Wellesley boys hockey team well heading into its Division 1 South quarterfinal matchup with Bay State Conference rival Natick.

After all, the last time the Raiders saw the Redhawks, Wellesley fell 4-0.

In Sunday’s tournament tussle, however, the second-seeded Raiders looked like a team that had forgotten their late-season stumble with their BSC foe, as Wellesley won 5-1 over Natick at the Canton Ice House.

“It’s a tournament game against a league opponent and as I’ve said time and time again we have a very competitive, rivalry-laden league where you have to play well every night,” Wellesley coach Paul Donato said. “It’s proven itself out that Bay State (Conference) teams across the board have success in the tournament and I think its prepared us well for our opportunity now.”

Now, Wellesley (15-5-1) will play No. 3 Braintree (13-6-2) in the Div. 1 South semifinals on Thursday at Gallo Arena in Bourne at 7:30 p.m.

“We had contributions from a lot of different guys and different lines,” Wellesley coach Paul Donato said. “We were pretty balanced and we got goals going to the net.”

Two goals apiece from senior Bo Picking and junior Darrald Webb led the Raiders on Sunday.

Picking scored his first goal in the second period, which ignited the Wellesley offense for four straight, unanswered goals.

Webb followed with a score of his own before senior Zach Doughty lit the lamp to make it 3-0 going into the second intermission.

Webb added his second goal in the third period before Natick finally got on the board to make it 4-1. Picking’s second goal of the game made for the final.

“(This is) why you play, to get another opportunity with guys that have played together their whole lives,” Donato said. “It’s a well-earned opportunity and it will be really fun down there on Thursday night.”

Wellesley and Braintree met on Jan. 18 this season, with the Wamps winning by the score of 4-1.

A week later, Braintree beat Natick by the same score.

So Thursday’s contest has the makings of a good one.

And the Raiders would be well served if they used some of that same amnesia they used with the Redhawks on Sunday, with the Wamps on Thursday.

Sometimes, it helps to remember how you played recently against a familiar foe, and other times, it doesn’t.

Seems like Wellesley knows the trick.

— Tommy Cassell can be reached at 508-626-4405 or tcassell@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @tommycassell44.